2027 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
[Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering technology schools.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Hillsborough Community College the best value for a degree in engineering technology in the Southeast Region. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering technology. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $9,125. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $6,685. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $61,687. Set against $6,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #4 place for engineering technology. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technology will find it at Pensacola State College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College placed #6 among the best values for engineering technology. Located in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,800, compared with $12,428 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,958 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $46,587. Set against $11,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Florida State College earned the #7 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $48,463 early in their careers. Set against $11,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College earned the #8 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College placed #9 among the best values for engineering technology. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $13,865. Engineering Technology graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $52,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #10 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Lake Sumter Community College placed #11 among the best values for engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Leesburg, Lake Sumter Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,292, with out-of-state students paying around $13,276. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,786 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Lake Sumter Community College generally make around $41,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson State Community College came in at #12 for value in engineering technology this year. Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $4,740 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $8,553. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Jackson State Community College generally make around $61,123. That is a strong return on a $8,553 median debt.
Gwinnett Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Gwinnett Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $18,048. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Gwinnett Technical College generally make around $39,288. That is a strong return on a $18,048 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #14 for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College placed #15 among the best values for engineering technology. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Berea College earned the #16 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $5,801. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Cleveland State Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,742 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $40,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College earned the #18 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson State Community College earned the #19 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Students borrow a median of $15,083 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $38,981 early in their careers. Set against $15,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College came in at #20 for value in engineering technology this year. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,324, while out-of-state students pay about $5,532. Students borrow a median of $15,386 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $59,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of West Florida landed the #21 spot for engineering technology value this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $63,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Seminole State College Of Florida ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $18,419. Engineering Technology graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palm Beach State College landed the #23 spot for engineering technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $42,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #24 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $14,413. Engineering Technology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University earned the #25 position for value in engineering technology this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $26,679 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $62,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering technology value ranking:
Narrow Engineering Technology Schools by State
More Engineering Technology Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
